Art, music, and nature

Harrison Hills Park Hike

I had morning business near Freeport, Pennsylvania on January 21. I coordinated a hiking adventure at Harrison Hills Park to “kill two birds”, so to speak.

The snow began prior to eight o’clock and the snow engulfed my walk the entire time making for a beautiful sight to behold. One of my finest times to hike in winter is when the wind is absent and big flakes drift lazily through the forest. Absolutely, beautiful!

I chose a five mile trail to trek. I wondered how the knee would fair since that “good ole” tear in my meniscus has flared up in recent weeks. The cortisone shot from last September has already worn off apparently. The constant pinch with every step was easily felt, but I managed to complete the five miles.

The trail meanders around the perimeter of the park allowing for many varied types of woodland diversity to be viewed, as well as, terrain. Big timber; crabapple thicket; areas covered with multiflora rose, as well as, goldenrod fields are present.

Steep terrain

Terrain consists of rolling hills to very steep and rocky river hills. In fact, one can walk along the ridge and look down upon the mighty Allegheny River at spots. Freeport can be viewed. Also, one can look across the river to the site where the Massey Harbison abduction, by Indians, took place in 1792.

A only saw two deer and several squirrels on the three hour walk. I did see plenty of small woodland birds and a pileated woodpecker.